When I first started my entrepreneurial journey, I told myself that I am a ‘new small business owner’ and that term made me think that I do not know anything. Even though with a Bachelor of Business Management degree plus 15++ years of working experience in international tourism and VIP hospitality with global brands like Disney, Hilton, Christchurch Casino and Crown Resorts; in three continents.

Spent thousands of dollars from workshops, seminars, mentors one after another taught me the skills needed to build a business. Few months in, I struggled because those teachings weren’t aligned with my heart on WHY I started Strive and Thrive…most importantly they didn’t aligned to ME!

Strive and Thrive, a social platform which I started after the loss of my friend. Her departure brought back memories of my past challenges. Since I was a child, I experienced traumas which includes sexual assault, parent abandonment issues but it was not until Friday 13th, 2006, when I fell off the stage at work and hit my head on the ground that my world came crumbling down after being diagnosed with a traumatic brain injury. From a ‘gung ho’casino shift manager, I became someone who couldn’t even string sentences together! Going through that change without notice or choice led to anxiety, depression and even suicidal tendencies. After a severe battle, I found the courage to overcome my challenges.

Shortly after my recovery in 2010, I was challenged again when Christchurch, New Zealand where I lived then was hit with an earthquake moment magnitude of 7.1 . I was injured trying to escape from my apartment and within weeks, I moved to Australia with a few pieces of clothings .

Arriving in Australia was another big battle for me but after rebuilding my life, I have gained a new me. I have graduated from University, something which I never thought I could do (being someone with a brain injury). I’ve found love with my partner, Shaun Nunn. And in 2015 while working for Crown Resorts, I gathered my courage to take that leap of faith and left my flamboyant VIP International Services career in the casino industry. Losing my friend made me determined to raise the awareness of mental health issues, inspire and empower others to strive for a positive resilient life and so “Strive and Thrive” was born.

My business started from a personal tragedy with no business plans but only heart which is why it needs to be promoted with heart. That was when everything clicked. Those workshops, seminars and mentors were teaching traditional marketing which is too much of a masculine energy, fear based, pushy marketing and too much focus on selling. And most of those teachings weren’t even recent information which are being best practiced in the current market. I know this from my experience working for well established global brands.

I then followed my heart and promoted my brand via heart-centred marketing strategies. I become in harmony with everything I do confidently which resulted in me growing my audience, community, list and my brand in less than a year. But the best thing was; I didn’t look for the money instead the money came to me. And the best of all, it didn’t feel like selling but it was more on serving a need to make a difference in someone’s life. And that has given me this super ‘gung ho’ confidence and love for what I do.

Having transformed my life from numerous traumas, I do require a daily self care routine more than an ordinary person to manage my chronic migraines and pains from the past brain injury and earthquakes. And that was why I found love in online business as it enables me the freedom and flexibility which I need while making bigger impact.

It wasn’t an easy decision to change directions from Strive and Thrive to this new journey. But it is time for me to fully embrace my guidance to work collectively with other coaches and solopreneurs by sharing my knowledge and wisdom. So I hope you join me and together we can make a bigger impact in this world!

International Speaker | Resilience & Heart Business Mentor

*Awardee: WEFINDIA, Iconic Women Creating a Better World for Us All 2019